This painting communicates the texture of daily life in Kinshasa, the capital of Zaïre (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Moké, who painted the scene from memory, was a leading practitioner of “popular painting,” a genre that gathered momentum in Zaïre after the nation gained independence from Belgian rule in the early 1960s. Like other popular painters, Moké focused on city life, documenting Kinshasa’s outdoor bars, high-spirited nightly activities, political rallies, street commerce, and musical performances. In this way, the artist devoted his career to creating rich portraits of a thriving postcolonial metropolis.

Gallery label from

2020

Medium Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions 45 1/4 × 72 7/16" (115 × 184 cm)
Credit The Jean Pigozzi African Art Collection. Gift of Jean Pigozzi
Object number 133.2019
Department Painting & Sculpture

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Moké

Moké

Congolese, 1950–2001 3 works online

Moké established his reputation in the 1970s as a leading practitioner of “popular painting,” a genre that celebrates modern city life.

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